1857.] BUCKMAN — OOLITES. 99 



and as regards the extension of the higher beds into parts of North 

 Wilts. 



This will be done mainly with the assistance of two surveyed sec- 

 tions which were made purposely for this paper ; one extending from 

 the Vale of Gloucester through the bold Cotteswold scarp at Birdlip 

 to the Chalk Hills in Wiltshire, in nearly a straight line from the N.E. 

 to the S.W., to which is added a deviation to Swindon (PL VII.) ; 

 the other from Cirencester, over the Oolitic wolds, and on through 

 the Vale of Moreton to Shipton-on-Stour, in a direction nearly north 

 and south. 



These lines have been taken along the two principal Roman roads 

 which run through Cirencester ; their general straight direction, and 

 the many quarries and openings in and about their fossae, rendering 

 them very suitable for the purpose. 



It may here not be out of place to state how these sections have 

 been taken, as they are the result of much interesting labour, cheer- 

 fully joined in by a numerous party. The engineering portion was 

 accomplished by Professor Armstrong, C.E., of the Royal Agricul- 

 tural College, assisted by several of his pupils. By this staff of 

 engineers the levels were surveyed, and wells, ponds, — whether na- 

 tural or artificial, — quarries, and other physical features, were care- 

 fully noted in their progress, so as to assist in the subsequent plotting, 

 and to guide in determining geological lines. 



The geology of these sections has been laid down in journeys 

 taken along the two lines, in company with a large party of my 

 own class, for whom, and for all engaged, it has formed a labour of 

 love, which has rendered Easter and other holidays periods of recrea- 

 tion, notwithstanding the amount of work therein accomplished. 



The minor illustrative details I have collected during a period of 

 many years' residence and constant work among my native hills. 

 For the occasional theoretical deductions I throw myself on the in- 

 dulgent consideration of the Society. 



Before commencing with the more immediate subject of this paper, 

 it may be proper to say a few words of the many workers in this 

 district, as their names will show the interest which geologists have 

 for a long time taken in that central chain of hills known as the 

 Cotteswolds. 



To Smith and Lonsdale we are indebted for the first stratigraphi- 

 cal details of the different members of the Oolites ; and the paper of 

 the latter in the Society's Transactions* may be considered as a model 

 of industry and accuracy, as the lines therein laid down have been 

 but little interfered with by subsequent explorers. 



The ' Geology of Cheltenham,' by Sir R. Murchison, contri- 

 buted largely to the elucidation of the Liassic and Oolitic rocks of 

 the Cotteswolds ; whilst the publication of Morris and Lycett's 

 c Monograph of the Fossils of the Great Oolite,' by the Palseonto- 

 graphical Society, has made us acquainted with a most interesting 

 fauna, which has been largely added to by several members of the 



* Second Series, vol. iii. p. 341 ; see also Proc. Geol. Soc. vol. i. pp.98, 111. 



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